Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys/girls Tournament: GBA assures parents of their children’s safety and comfort
It’s a mere 4 days to the first bell of the 7th edition of the Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys and Schoolgirls Boxing Extravaganza, and the executives of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) have intensified their efforts to not only produce a qualitative tournament, but to ensure the security and comfort of the ‘Simon Pures’ who would be contesting for honours.
The Guyanese contingent is scheduled to open camp at the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Boxing Gym, and the parents of those boxers were yesterday afternoon summoned to a meeting at which the Director of Bouts, Terrence Poole, briefed them on measures in place for their children’s safety and comfort. Mr. Poole painstakingly brought the parents up to date on crucial matters relevant to the security process, as well as the responsibilities of the children and those of the management team.
The young pugilists are expected to light up the National Gymnasium this weekend
Several parents attended the briefing, and were asked to confirm approval of their children’s participation by affixing their signatures to a corresponding document.
Mr. Poole thanked the adults for their interest, and assured them that the GBA had installed all protocols for the children’s safety and comfort.
“You can all rest assured that your children are going to be okay,” he has assured.
The Technical Director said he was especially delighted by the enthusiastic participation of the parents. He also said such support can only redound positively on the youth’s performances, and by extension contribute positively to Guyana’s retention of the prestigious championship that is at stake.
Attending parents paid rapt attention to the briefing of their children’s safety by Terrence Poole
Meanwhile, boxers from the Ancient County of Berbice arrived in Georgetown late yesterday afternoon, and have already opened camp at the ALBG under the tutelage of former local boxing champion Jeff Roberts, himself a Berbician. The former lightweight pugilist is brimming with confidence, and assures that his charges are ready to represent Guyana with pride.
“We are also hungry for victories,” Roberts has declared.
The championship is staged in honour of another top local boxing stalwart, Winfield Braithwaite, a retired Guyanese light-welterweight boxer who represented his country at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada and won the gold medal in the light-welterweight division after victories over Alec Leatherday of Australia, Baba Sumaila of Ghana, Michael Mwangi of Kenya, and James Douglas of Scotland by knockout in the first round.
The traditional opening ceremony will be held at the tournament venue, National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue, and would immediately be followed by the highly anticipated fistic fury.
